Becks puts his feet up

After announcing that he is set to answer the country's prayers and be fit to play in the first World Cup game on Sunday, David Beckham relaxes by the pool taking the weight off the world's most famous foot.

The England captain kicked off his shoes to lie on a sun lounger in 80F heat at the Japanese island hotel.

England manage, Sven-Goran Eriksson looked considerably less relaxed as he held a pool-side conference with his number two, fellow Swede Tord Grip. He appeared tense as the two spent 15 minutes deep in conversation.

Eriksson fidgeted repeatedly, scratching his back and wringing his hands as he contemplated the final few days' preparation before he opens his World Cup campaign against his home country.

If Eriksson is tense, this is despite the best efforts of the Football Association to make him comfortable. The manager, his coaching staff and the 23-man squad are staying at the five star Westin Hotel on Japan's resort island of Awaji.

The hotel has two pools - the outside one is shown here - tennis courts, a gym, Jacuzzi, sauna and a beauty salon.

The latter advertises an array of treatments one of which may appeal to the foot-sore Beckham: for £25 a half hour foot massage can prove "effective to the tiredness of walking."

Every room comes with a balcony and views over the blue waters of Japan's Inland Sea - though these can be somewhat spoiled by the regular appearance of super-size oil tankers.

Each room's bathroom features a walk-in power shower, an extra large mirror and complimentary items include Somo hair products - though one suspects Beckham and most of the rest of the squad may just have brought their own shampoo.

The piece de resistance is, without doubt, the lavatory. Surpassing anything ever dreamed of at the most Premiership footballers' homes - "Beckingham Palace" included - this offers a control panel of gadgets and features.

Among them is a heated seat and a multi-adjustable bidet function. Just flushing it can prove technologically challenging so there is a telephone link direct to the concierge desk in case guests get really stuck.

The players have brought their own reading and viewing material, which was wise as the options are strictly limited. The 24-inch colour television's multiple channels are all in Japanese - even the BBC is dubbed - with ITV being the only English language option - though the eight hour time difference means that unwinding in the afternoon involves watching GMTV. In the evening, it is ITV Daytime. Coronation Street, for example, does not go out until 3.30am. Reading matter is even more limited with the New Testament and The Teaching Of Buddha the only books stocked as standard. Beckham may be revered by some Buddhist monks - his image has been used as an icon in a Thai temple - but he will find little to comfort him here.

Although he was writing some 26 centuries ago, Buddha may almost been thinking of Beckham and his dreams of winning the World Cup when he warned that such ambitions are less important than the pursuit of at least one quality with which the England captain is not normally associated.

"All the treasures of the world, all its gold, silver and honours are not compared with wisdom and virtue," says the book.